Thursday thoughts #4: on Meghan Markle's Netflix show
I will start this by saying I am a Meghan Markle (now Sussex) fan. Always have been. I also loved her show, With Love, Meghan, and I cannot wait to buy her jam. Or maybe even make my own jam? Because that’s what the show did: it made me want to make my own jam (or, as Meghan corrects us, preserves).
There is nothing I dislike more than unfounded criticism of women online, mostly by strangers, for seemingly no good reason (other than free speech? to make themselves feel better?). The fact that Meghan, whom I don’t know, has been through so much in the last handful of years, is trying to move on and do something she’s passionate about and is still getting obscene amounts of hate is quite frankly, vile. And with that…
Here is why I loved the show
I am going to preface this with the fact that I also love Ina Garten and Martha Stewart, both of whom are brilliant successful businesswomen who happen to love cooking and baking, hosting, gardening, presentation and just making things beautiful. Now that I’ve seen the show, I’d put Meghan in this category too, but in a more doable way.
Her recipes seem simple, in a good way. I think I could make most of the dishes Meghan makes just by watching the show, no lengthy recipe necessary. All of the meals I make on a regular basis are like this - simple and delicious, and after a few times there is no need to look at a recipe at all. In my experience counseling people, a lot of what prevents them from cooking more at home is how complicated they assume cooking delicious, healthy food is. As much as I try to convince them it doesn’t have to be, a visual like Meghan’s show is really helpful to reinforce that.
She clearly knows what she’s doing. The show is not a gimmick nor a stretch, Meghan really loves and is very knowledgeable about cooking, gardening, hosting, flowers, etc. She also has a great eye for presentation and making things, like a charcuterie board, look fantastic. I have learned a few things by watching the show, and am definitely motivated to make ordinary things look nicer.
Her fashion and jewelry are gorgeous. I said it. I have always been a fan of Meghan’s fashion and jewelry, and I honestly love that she brought it in each episode. Yes, some of it is unattainable (like her 18k yellow gold Cartier Tank Francaise watch that was Princess Diana’s. I die for this watch), but so are a lot of things. If you, too, enjoy Meghan’s style, this website breaks down all of her outfits and jewelry regularly.
She romanticizes. I just wrote about romanticizing, and that’s sort of what this show is about (to me): appreciating and celebrating the smaller things in life. I love that she labels things in her gorgeous calligraphy, presents gifts to her friends so beautifully, and serve things in a way that makes guests feel special. I don’t do any of these things very well, so this is quite aspirational to me.
She has great guests. I loved the variety of guests on the show, especially Alice Waters (I will note here that I’ve been to Chez Panisse and it is wonderful). I think Alice and Meghan have similar food and cooking philosophies - simple, local, fresh food. It does not have to be any more complicated than that. I also really enjoyed the presence of Meghan’s late dog, Guy, in most of the episodes. What a cutie.
It’s a form of escapism. I’ve mentioned escapism a lot lately, given the state of the country and the world. I think we all need it, at least sometimes. This show is that for me - a chance to escape the news and live in this world of cooking delicious things, going to the flower market, picking fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden, and harvesting your own honey.
I would be remiss if I weren’t to mention wealth here. It’s obvious and well-known that Meghan is wealthy, and therefore a lot of elements from the show are unattainable to the masses. Not everyone has a full, lush garden, beehives, chickens, top of the line cooking equipment (she used this a lot and I want one), great outfits, a huge house in a very exclusive beautiful neighborhood, and the time to do things like make jam. But one could say the same thing about Martha Stewart, Ina Garten, and like, a million other people. I don’t think it’s fair to criticize something that just is.
On resilience
Aside from all of these points, Meghan is proving herself to be a resilient woman who, despite knowing how much hate she was going to get just for existing in the public again, went for it anyways. I cannot imagine how hard that was and continues to be, and I really admire it. I have pretty thin skin, and this is a small bit of motivation to give a few less fucks. If there is anything I or you take away from the show, aside from the desire to make a cake or take up flower arranging, it’s that.
Now, about that jam…
Take good care,
Kelly